Ballistic Arc

Author: Tianjiang Shuo

Website: https://cislunarspace.cn

Definition

A flight segment where the spacecraft is unpowered and subject only to gravitational forces. In the CR3BP, the Jacobi constant is conserved along a ballistic arc. Transfer trajectories consist of alternating ballistic arcs (following invariant manifolds) and powered arcs (adjusting energy so that manifolds from different systems match at a Poincare section).

Application Value

This concept is fundamental to cislunar orbital mechanics and mission analysis, providing essential theoretical support for trajectory design and operational planning.

  • Retrograde Motion
  • Absolute Phase Bias
  • Relative Attitude Quaternion
  • Radial-Tangential-Normal Coordinate System, RTN

References

  • Ren et al., Celest. Mech. Dyn. Astron. (2012)
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Contributors: ouyangjiahong, Ou Yang Jiahong